Starters include firm favourites such as biltong and mushroom soup and an appetising-looking springbok carpaccio (which, perplexingly, is served with ordinary brown bread). The menu lists some interesting items, such as the Tanganyika salad with bacon, avo, pineapple and pecans, and various other light and kiddies’ meals. The Baobab Burger section is comprehensive – try the Jo burger, topped with a smoky BBQ relish.
Main courses are listed separately – Tlhapi for fish, Dikgogo and Mzansi’s favourites, and Nama, listing all the traditional meat grills. The oxtail and lamb curry are both worth travelling for.
Desserts include the ever-popular Peppermint Crisp pudding.
Drinks
Although the wine list won’t excite wine lovers, it’s perfectly compatible with the food on offer.
Service
Professional, friendly and accommodating, and staff are clearly comfortable dealing with guests from all walks of life as well as tourists.
Ambience
The restaurant is situated on different levels, each with its own distinct atmosphere. The décor of the foyer and second large main area is Africa-inspired with beige and black accents. The large outdoor area, also on different levels, offers views over Pretoria East, and is a good escape from the bustle and noise of the mall.
Best for…
Large groups (for groups of 60 to 100 they’ll gladly prepare a set menu), family dining with children, work lunches, and tourists or out-of-towners.
(August 2019)
Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read our full editorial policy here.
User reviews
★★★★★
6 Reviews
Sune Wolmarans
★★★★★
Being in the foodcourt of the mall, it is quite a distance to walk to get to the restaurant. They do not have a smoking area anymore and you are now directed to an outside area where you can smoke. For smokers this is not ideal. Other than that the service is great a d the food is fantastic
Leonie Matthews
★★★★★
We celebrated my daughter (Jamie-Lee Thumbran) 21st birthday at Baobab on 08 February 2017 - Wow !!!! It was awesome! We really enjoyed the food...nice evening with friends and family - dear loved ones...will never forget...
Leonie Matthews
Tiisetso Mokotjo
★★★★★
My boyfriend and I, came to baobab for a quick meal. The place is beautiful, and him and his family have always come here (they're all Pretoria people), he found a piece of hair in his mash potatoes. The manager came to prologue by making excuses about how he only has males in his kitchen and no women and the men wear nets. He didn't end up eating. Which ruined the evening. Arrgh.
Emma Van der linde
★★★★★
Most apalling plastic-fake-instant-cheese and mushroom sauce on the chicken scnitzel I ever tasted.
No thanks.
Armandt van den Berg
★★★★★
I have been going to Baobab for years now. My parents started taking us there as kids about 12 years back. Loved it from the start. Amazing food, all of it! I have not had anything on their menu (in twelve years I have gone through it quite extensively) that was anything short of spectacular. Seating is spacious and comfortable. Even on busy days, although it isn't quite it never gets overbearing and you never struggle hearing the other person. For more privacy, there are cubicle like seating options, we usually opt for that as you can almost forget that you are in a massive restaurant. It is warm, inviting, classy and elegant, without feeling stingy. Portions are big, food is really good. I have mentioned it before, but it really is great! My only complaint is the fact that they removed the ostrich fillet (with cranberry sauce and brie cheese) from the menu. Was the most amazing thing I have ever eaten. Unsure of what to get off of a really big and great menu? Their lamb shank is always amazing as is their selection of potjies is always a winner.